S.B warns of defeat for Ranil as independent candidate

• SLPP MP predicts President Ranil Wickremesinghe would place fourth or fifth in Presidential Election if he runs as an independent candidate
• Asserts that many parties would support Wickremesinghe if he is nominated as the SLPP candidate
• Advises the SLPP, especially the Rajapaksas, to carefully consider their decision and suggests taking a step back

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP S.B. Dissanayake predicted yesterday that President Ranil Wickremesinghe would place fourth or fifth in the Presidential Election if he runs as an independent candidate.

During a press conference, Dissanayake stated that if the SLPP nominates Wickremesinghe, many other parties would extend their support. “If he is not named as the SLPP candidate, none of this will happen,” he said. According to Dissanayake, if Wickremesinghe contests alone, he will rank below third place.

Dissanayake urged the SLPP, especially the Rajapaksas, to carefully consider the situation before making any decisions. He expressed hope that the SLPP would not field a different candidate and advised SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa to be patient regarding his Presidential ambitions. 



“It is better for the SLPP and the Rajapaksas to be more patient as well,” he said.

He warned that if this advice is not heeded, the SLPP and Ranil Wickremesinghe would face defeat. “Sajith will win while the JVP will emerge in second place,” he predicted.

Dissanayake also criticised the idea of extending the Presidential term by two years, calling it a foolish statement.